Community health nursing, related to prevention of herpes in the community

Herpes is a virus infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The anal region, external genitalia, and mucosal surfaces are the most commonly afflicted locations by the virus. HSV-1 (oral herpes) and HSV-2 are the two known kinds of the disease (genital herpes)

During an episode of oral herpes, HSV-1 is usually contagious. To avoid contacting the virus, a person suffering from oral herpes should avoid utilizing anything that may come into touch with saliva. If you have a cold sore around your mouth, you should avoid kissing. They should avoid oral contact with others and avoid oral intercourse to avoid spreading herpes to their partners’ genitals. Abstinence from sexual activities is recommended for people with genital herpes symptoms while experiencing one or more of the symptoms (Stephen & Mullins, 2016)

Condoms too can help in the prevention of genital herpes if used correctly and consistently by reducing the risk of infection. For the expectant women, who might have the genital herpes symptoms, it is advisable to inform their health care provider for advice, to prevent acquisition of the infections. This further enables there are zero chances of exposing an infant to HSV during delivery. In addition, male circumcision serves as a protection against HSV-2 for men (Looker &Turner, 2015)

One should avoid having many sexual partners in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Additionally, if an individual has recurrent herpes, they should take antiviral medicine regularly to reduce the risk of passing on the HSV virus.

Long-term consequences

Oral and genital herpes usually have short and long-term consequences on the bodies of the infected person and those of the others. One of the consequences includes a higher risk of getting HIV. This is because, individuals with exposed ulcers and blisters can easily contact the HIV virus. HSV-2 might also increase the risk of transmission of HIV to sexual partners. It accelerates the process of progression of the HIV to AIDS (Stephen & Mullins, 2016).

Adults too normally experience painful recurrent genital sores especially if their immune system is weak. This puts them at a risk of contracting other sexually transmitted diseases. HSV-2 can also affect the nervous system leading to severe neurological complications. In addition, individuals with HSV-2 have a lifetime risk of the infection of the tissues linking the central nervous system causing aseptic meningitis. The severity of meningitis due the presence of HSV-2 virus might be accompanied severe buttock and back pain, constipation and urine retention.

An infant too is susceptible to acquiring the HSV during delivery. It may also lead to impotence in men and cervical cancer in women after some time. It may also have psychological distress in the people who are aware that they are infected. (Stephen& Mullin, 2016)

Racial disparities

For the longest time, differences have persisted in the provision of quality healthcare among racial and ethnic minority groups. Low-income earners also receive and experience poor quality health care. Individuals with herpes have not been an exception when receiving care in the hands of the medical practitioners. Disparities in quality care and access to care differ from one race to another. According to a recent research, it indicates that Blacks, African Americans, receive poor care than the whites and the Asians (Armangue et al., 2014)

They are also not in a position to access quality medical attention compared to the white race due to several factors, including; race/ethnic groupings, health insurance status, income, availability of usual sources of care-limited proficiency in English and, education levels.

Racism has a way of affecting herpes infection health in general in many levels, for example, in cases of self-internalized racism whereby an individual’s self-worth and esteem are lowered due to racial discrimination. This in turn may affect his/ her mental health. As a result, their risk behavior (for example, drug use, unsafe sex) or lack of health care seeking behavior might increase. Racism may also lead to chronic stress that may affect and weaken the immune system thus increasing individual’s susceptibility to herpes infection (Armangue et al., 2014)

Socioeconomic status and poverty also account for the differences in racial health disparities. A recent study indicates that people with high levels of poverty due to low or no income are most likely to get infected with sexually transmitted diseases.

In addition, there are differences in sexual behaviors among races and ethnic groups that affect and show disparity in herpes infection rates. Several sexual behaviors, for example, the number of sexual partners, consistency and correct condom use, earlier first intercourse are some of the factors that influence contacting, prevention and spread of the herpes infection. (Stephen & Mullan)

Poor communication between, the herpes patients who have less proficiency in English and medical practitioners is prevalent. In worst cases, patients are required to bring translators to receive medical care.

Community health nursing, related to prevention of herpes in the community

Community health nursing is vital in controlling the spread of diseases and infections in the society .In this case, to prevent the spread of herpes, a community health nurse normally employs primary prevention strategies. They include educating the healthcare providers and the general public about the symptoms, treatment and how to prevent further transmission of herpes. They also educate them about the risk factors, encouraging them to practice safe sex. They also encourage the public to visit health centers for checkups. This is vital because the earlier the HSV virus is detected, the earlier the treatment of the infection.

Community health nurses, also encourage people to notify their partners when infected in order to avoid further spreading of the virus, they also screen pregnant women to avoid the spread of the virus to the unborn baby. They also ensure that the information they disseminate, for educating the public takes into account the cultural attitudes that surround sex and sexuality thus culturally appropriate.

In addition to the above roles, they should be proactive and mobilize the members of the community to join coalitions of organizations that are involved in the prevention of herpes, organize educational forums about herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases. They should also work with the media to develop health campaign messages, regarding herpes and other STD’s.

In addition, they should work with the community organizations to sensitize people on the importance of accepting their health status and avoid spreading the infection further. They should also set up programs to monitor the patients on their progress and ensure they are taking their medication as prescribed.

References

Armangue, T., Leypoldt, F., Málaga, I., Raspall‐Chaure, M., Marti, I., Nichter, C., ... & Ke, M. (2014). Herpes simplex virus encephalitis is a trigger of brain autoimmunity. Annals of neurology, 75(2), 317-323.

Stephens, D., Mullins, U. L.,. (2016). Correlates to seroprevalent herpes simplex virus type 2 among rural Appalachian drug users. Journal of medical virology, 88(3), 512-520.

Looker, K. J.,., Turner, K. M.,. (2015). Global estimates of prevalent and incident herpes simplex virus type 2 infections in 2012. PloS one, 10(1), e114989